Volunteer Teaching in Tanzania - Zanzibar

Overview

Volunteering as an English Teacher in Zanzibar will not only help you to shape the future of these kids, but it'll also sharpen your skills and abilities. The Teaching English Volunteer Program is a great opportunity for volunteers looking for international work experience in the education sector.

Under this project, volunteers are usually placed in different schools - nursery, primary or secondary, to teach basic English lessons to the local students. Zanzibar, being a part of Tanzania, isn't a much-developed region and derives most of its income from tourism. Hence, the knowledge of English is essential.

The schools, under this project, lack the basic infrastructure and inappropriate curriculum. Due to administrative issues like short staffing, proper education is not imparted to the students. All these schools are in need of good educators who can also take care of them and guide them for a better future. English and Maths are the two main subjects that need to be taught. The teachers themselves need help with English speaking and mostly converse in the local language. The classrooms are big and the facilities are extremely basic.

You can make a difference here by supporting the schools, the teachers and the principals, not only by offering assistance in teaching English but also by adding bigger goals to their lives. And this will help you to learn a lot about life as well!

Volunteer Work Schedule

As a volunteer for the English Teaching Program in Zanzibar, Tanzania, your general schedule would be:

Sunday - Arrival at the destination (Zanzibar)
Monday - An orientation session will be conducted by the local coordinator, covering the major topics such as safety, culture, language, places to visit, behavior, food, and other suggestions for things to do in Zanzibar.
Tuesday to Friday - Volunteer work at the placement.
Weekends - Free to explore the city.
Breakfast - 07:00 am onwards.
Working hours at the placement - 08:30 am to 01:00 pm.
Lunch - 01:00 pm to 02:45 pm (volunteer work post-lunch depends on the requirement)
Dinner - 07:00 pm onwards.

The same work schedule continues from the second week onwards (Monday - Friday).

Note: Please note, the schedule may vary depending on the project the volunteer is participating on. Zanzibar is predominantly Muslim and can have a significant impact on any participant who happens to volunteer during the time of Ramadan. The participant schedule shall vary during this time of the year.

Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities

Being a volunteer, you'll get to work alongside the English teachers and current staff in leading the classes in improving the pronunciation and conversational skills.
Make daily plans and keep the class engaged. Apart from English, also teach the basics of Maths to the kids.
Focus on the weaker kids, and see how you can help them out. Keep a tab on the growth of your students.
Help in improving the vocabulary of the students. Prepare test sheets for regular assessments.
The best would be to focus on interactive sessions and activity-based learning methods.
Involve the students in 'out-of-the-class' activities, so that they can gain more practical knowledge.
Ask the teachers/principals, in case they need any sort of assistance.

Project Requirement

Volunteers must be 18 years or older at the time of joining the project. Participants should have an open mind and flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment. Volunteers need to be flexible, open-minded and have a passion for working with children. You should also be proactive and have an ability to take initiative All volunteers must provide a clean criminal background check report prior to joining the program.

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Living

Find a beautiful abode away from home in Zanzibar. Volunteering Solutions ensures that our volunteers get the “at home” atmosphere while volunteering.

Airport Transfer

As Zanzibar is semi-autonomous and part of Tanzania you can fly straight to Zanzibar (over Nairobi, Kilimanjaro or other international airports) or fly to Dar es Salaam. If you fly to Dar es Salaam you need to take a cab to the ferry to Zanzibar, where you can buy a ticket for the relaxing 40-minute boat ride to the island. It is very important that we know about your travel arrangements so the coordinators can be ready for you to arrive. Upon arrival at either the airport or ferry terminus, you will be welcomed by the coordinator who will show you around and take you to your accommodation.

Daily Transport

Most volunteers use the daladalas or buses, which have specific routes from your accommodation to Stone Town and onto other destinations. There are direct buses to Stone Town from Mbweni and Chukwani where the accommodations are located.

Orientation

All volunteers are given an orientation about their project and the location by the local coordinator.

Accommodation

Accommodation is offered with host families in the safe area of Mbwemi and Chukwani just outside Stone Town and close to the airport. You can expect to share a room with other volunteers. Mostly 2-3 volunteers share a room together.

When we receive larger groups of volunteers or during busy months of summer volunteers are also accommodated in volunteer housing. The house would be usually a fairly large Zanzibar home with a living room/dining room, as well as the kitchen. It can usually accommodates up to 8 -12 volunteers in different rooms.

Bedding is provided in the form of sheets, but you need to bring a towel for personal use. Mosquito nets are not provided so you can bring one if you choose to. If you don’t have enough space in your suitcase; it is cheap to buy things locally.

The accommodation can be basic, standards are very different in Zanzibar then back home most probably, and showers do not have hot water, but the weather is hot enough to shower cold!

Zanzibar has the most amazing fruit selection and you will find yourself spoiled with the availability and affordability of fruit on the island.

Meals

Meals are provided 3 times a day by your host. Meals are based on local ingredients and will include meat, chicken and vegetarian dishes, as well as most favorite Tanzanian dishes. Breakfast will generally consist of tea and coffee, toast, jam and peanut butter with some fruit while lunches and dinners are cooked meals which you can eat after work and at your own preferred time.

During your Free Time

Volunteers will have a lot of free time during the weekend. During weekdays too, your evenings would be free. Some of the activities that you can get involved in during your free time in Zanzibar.

Visit the old forts, museums and beautiful streets of Stone Town
Eat all the seafood you can at Forodhani Gardens in the evening
Go on a spice tour to see how cloves, nutmeg and much more are grown
Go swimming in crystal clear water
Snorkel or dive to some of the most beautiful reefs of the world.
Relax and live the island lifestyle!

All free time activities are at the participant’s own expense.

Dates

January

February

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

Available

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Booked Out

Costs

Duration	Program Fee	Choose your currency
1 Week	$595
2 Weeks	$795
3 Weeks	$995
4 Weeks	$1195
5 Weeks	$1395
6 Weeks	$1595
7 Weeks	$1795
8 Weeks	$1995
Extra Week	$395

Please Note: An application fee of is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment.

What are you Paying For?

24 hrs Assistance and support from Staff
Personal collection upon arrival at Zanzibar airport or ferry terminal
First day introduction at the project and surroundings
Accommodation in host family or shared housing with other volunteers
Meals (3 meals a day)
Guidance and supervision during your stay

What's NOT Included?

Flights
Travel & Medical Insurance (Available at an extra cost)
Personal Expenses
Local Transportation
Visa Fee

FAQ's

Application and Program Details

How long will it take to process my application? Will my application be accepted?: After you complete your application, your personalized ‘My Account’ will be active.You will need to upload your CV/Resume along with your photo in the same. Our backend team and the placement site takes around 10-12 days to review your application. After we review your CV and documents, your booking is confirmed and booking confirmation is updated in your ‘My Account’. Some projects need a mandatory criminal background check and the same is mentioned in the project info of your program. Approval of your application depends on your qualification and eligibility criteria for each project.
Does VolSol provides discount if I choose more than one program or if I am a returning volunteer?: If you are planning to come for multiple programs in your trip, you will have to pay the application fees just once. Your application fee is valid for a year's time (from the date of application). You will not have to pay the application fees again if you come within the mentioned time frame.

For our returning volunteers, $50 discount is provided for the application fee for their next Vol Sol program.
Are there any necessary requirements to participate in the Zanzibar volunteer programs?: The program requirements for the program in Zanzibar are as follows:

The minimum age requirement for the programs in Zanzibar is 18 years.

Volunteers joining the medical volunteer project must be either Pre-Medical, Medical or Nursing students or possess other qualifications related to medical and nursing field such as CNA or EMT. Medical professionals such as doctors and nurses are also welcome to join this program.

Volunteers need to have an open mind and flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment.

The volunteer should bring energy and enthusiasm to make a difference.

The participant must be in good health.
When do I need to arrive in Zanzibar? What will happen once I arrive here?: Volunteers are picked up from the Abeid Amani Karume International Airport located in the Unguja Island by the in-country coordinator or representative. Those coming via the sea route would be picked up from their docking station. Upon arrival at either the airport or ferry terminus, you will be welcomed by one of the coordinators who will show you around and take you to your accommodation. After freshening up and getting to know the staff, you will be given an introduction and go through some rules and regulations.
Can I volunteer as part of a group?: We encourage our participants to volunteer in a group. We take special care in providing you a placement and also customize your itinerary to make sure you get exactly what you are looking for. Also, we can design special group programs for groups of 5 or more. Our programs are designed to be safe, affordable and offer a great group volunteering experience to the volunteers.

In our experience of more than 12+ years we have enabled and facilitated volunteer program placements for student groups- college groups, university groups, high school groups, group of families, group of couples as well as groups of colleagues.
When should I apply for the volunteer programs in Zanzibar?: As we have limited spots available in our programs and we serve on first come first basis, it is recommended that potential volunteers book their programs well in advance to get confirmed placements. You can book your slot by filling the application form online and pay the application fee .You can pay your program fee later and also, in installments, however, the complete payment should be made 45 days prior the start of the program. If you are volunteering in a group, you can also fill a group application form.
Does VolSol provides with a reference or a certificate after program completion?: Yes, we will provide you with the Certificate after successful completion of your program. The certificate is provided on request.

Flights and Visa

How will I reach the accommodation?: The in-country coordinator will be there at the airport to receive you and will ensure that you safely reach the accommodation.
Does Volunteering Solutions help with Visa?: Visa in Zanzibar can be attained upon arrival for $50 or $100 as the Visa fee depending on the nationality.
What are the recommended airline options to reach Zanzibar?: Recommended airlines to fly into Zanzibar are Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airways, Fly Dubai, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines and KLM. There are good connections from European and Middle Eastern countries to fly into Zanzibar.

Accommodation and Living

Can I know more about accommodation and food arrangements?: Accommodation is offered with host families in the safe area of Mbwemi and Chukwani just outside Stone Town and close to the airport. You can expect to share a room with other volunteers. Mostly 2-3 volunteers share a room together.

When we receive larger groups of volunteers or during busy months of summer volunteers are also accommodated in volunteer housing. The house would be usually a fairly large Zanzibar home with a living room/dining room, as well as the kitchen. It can usually accommodates up to 8 -12 volunteers in different rooms.

All three meals a day are provided to the volunteers.
Where can I change my money in Zanzibar? Are there ATMs in Zanzibar?: Yes, there are ATM’s in Zanzibar and the coordinator can assist you and suggest money change shops in Stone Town for exchanging your money for Tanzanian shillings.
Would I have free time during my program? Can I do sightseeing during my program?: Depending on your project VolSol volunteers are required to put around 5-6 hours of volunteer work for 5 days in a week. Evenings and Weekends are free for you to explore in and around the city and indulge in your personal work or activity. You can:

Visit the old forts, museums and beautiful streets of Stone Town.

Eat the seafood you can at Forodhani Gardens in the evening.

Go on a spice tour to see how cloves, nutmeg and much more are grown.

Go swimming in crystal clear water.

Snorkel or dive in some of the beautiful reefs of the world.

Relax and enjoy the island!
Are there more expenses once I arrive in Zanzibar?: Your program fee covers your accommodation, airport pick-up, orientation, pre-departure information, and in-country staff support. You will need to cover your personal expenses, such as traveling, telephone, the internet, shopping, sightseeing, return airport drop, weekend tours etc. However, you should carry around $50 - $60 per week for your basic personal expenses, such as water, local transport, phone etc.You will also need to pay for Work Permit as it is mandatory to take while volunteering in Tanzania and Zanzibar.
How do I get to the program location?: Your program coordinator will take you to your placement and introduce you to everyone after giving you a basic orientation about the program, city, culture etc.You will be briefed about the local transportation and also about your transfers to the project every day from the accommodation.
For how many hours will I volunteer every day?: VolSol volunteers usually work for 5 to 6 hours a day for 5 days a week. The working hours can vary and is dependent on your program type. You will have the weekend off so you can go to travel on weekends.

Health and Safety

How safe is Zanzibar in general?: Zanzibar thrives on tourism. Stone town attracts many tourists from around the world. The beach area is crowded with tourists and is safe. However, during the evening avoid going out alone. Consult your in-country coordinator for information on nightlife and where all to go in the evening. Since Zanzibar is a Muslim country, it is advisable for all to dress decently and wear full trousers and full sleeved casual shirts. Beachwear can be worn when on the beaches.

Some pointers for the project:

Ensure that you are modestly dressed.

If you are diving or snorkeling, you may be tempted to collect some shells from Zanzibar's many coral reefs. Please do not, as this kills entire reefs, the devastating effects of which can be seen in the well-trodden areas of the East African coast. Although there are shell sellers, you are asked not to buy shells from them, as it simply encourages this harmful industry.

Zanzibar is an amazingly photogenic place but if you want to take photographs of people, please ask for their permission first, out of respect for them.

If you are not Muslim, do not enter any of Zanzibar's mosques.

Keep in mind that your safety comes with your own behavior and looking for your personal items. Lock your room if possible, give valuables to the coordinators to keep for you and be aware of your surroundings.

Zanzibar is alluring to many different tourists and many women from the west will find their African lovers here. Be aware of the smooth talking beach boys that you will encounter and can organize everything for ‘free’ for you or very cheap, there usually is a price to pay somewhere down the line.
Do I need to buy a health insurance?: Yes, for all participants it is mandatory to have a travel medical insurance. To provide the best option to our participants, we offer comprehensive insurance coverage in collaboration with a leading insurance provider.
What immunizations/medicines/vaccinations will I need?: Volunteers should carry general medicines along with them on their travel. Medicines like antacid, aspirin and basic painkillers should be carried. You are recommended to take advice from your general physician before you embark on your journey.

We recommend these basic vaccinations for your safety:

Hepatitis A and B

Typhoid

Connect with Past Volunteers

How can I connect with past Volunteering Solutions Zanzibar alumni as well as other former and current volunteers?: We encourage volunteers to get in touch with former Volunteering Solutions participants and also other program participants joining our projects. You are recommended to join the Volunteering">https://www.facebook.com/VolunteeringSolutions/">Volunteering Solutions Facebook Page or Facebook">https://www.facebook.com/groups/volunteeringsolutions/">Facebook Group to connect with other participants and our team.

To read alumni interviews from past participants, visit the Meet">https://www.volunteeringsolutions.com/meet-a-volunteer">Meet a Volunteer section on our website.